Patent Expiration Sparks a Retro Gaming Device Revival: The Return of Slider Consoles

Have you ever wondered why there have been no more slider gaming devices since the Sony Xperia Play? If you haven’t worked in mobile technology or handheld consoles, you might not be aware that Sony filed a patent for a slide-out gaming device way back in 2010, a year prior to the launch of the Xperia Play.

This patent took effect on June 21, 2011, and is valid for 14 years. Essentially, Sony monopolized this market niche that captivated consumers 15 years ago, preventing other companies from creating similar designs.

It’s important to highlight that the patent specifically concerned retractable gamepads for mobile devices, as illustrated below. Sony clearly understood the implications of their patent application, but it’s a shame that over the years, they failed to fully explore the potential of this technology!

Is it just a coincidence that ANBERNIC launched the RG Slide console in the same month that Sony’s patent expired? I think not. The Chinese company seized the opportunity to design a product that had long been off-limits to other manufacturers, tapping into our nostalgia for retro technologies. And it worked.

For those keeping track of retro console makers—such as AYANEO, Powkiddy, GKD, and others—you know that competition among them is fiercer than that of four friends battling it out with Wavebird controllers on a CRT TV. Now that ANBERNIC has introduced the RG Slide, we can anticipate AYANEO releasing a slimmer version, GKD a mini variant, and Powkiddy a budget model featuring joysticks that are likely to be in the most unexpected places.

The expiration of the Japanese tech giant’s patent came at a perfect time. Honestly, the concept of foldable handheld consoles has run its course: Powkiddy and ANBERNIC are producing nearly identical devices, while AYANEO has announced the Flip 1S DS.

The resurgence of slider gaming gadgets is truly exciting, and we eagerly await how companies will leverage this nostalgic concept in the coming months.

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